I think an artist, in my definition of that word, would not be someone who takes sides with the emperor against his powerless subjects. That's different from prescribing a way in which a writer should write. Chinua Achebe artistdefinitionemperor share on social
The people you see in Nigeria today have always lived as neighbors in the same space for as long as we can remember. So it's a matter of settling down, lowering the rhetoric, the level of hostility in the rhetoric is too high. Chinua Achebe highhostilitylevel share on social
When I began going to school and learned to read, I encountered stories of other people and other lands. Chinua Achebe beginencounterland Change image and share on social
My position is that serious and good art has always existed to help, to serve, humanity. Not to indict. I don't see how art can be called art if its purpose is to frustrate humanity. Chinua Achebe artcallexist Change image and share on social
Once a novel gets going and I know it is viable, I don't then worry about plot or themes. These things will come in almost automatically because the characters are now pulling the story. Chinua Achebe automaticallycharacterplot Change image and share on social
Nigeria has had a complicated colonial history. My work has examined that part of our story extensively. Chinua Achebe colonialcomplicateexamine Change image and share on social
Stories serve the purpose of consolidating whatever gains people or their leaders have made or imagine they have made in their existing journey thorough the world. Chinua Achebe consolidateexistgain Change image and share on social
A man who makes trouble for others is also making trouble for himself. Chinua Achebe makemantrouble Change image and share on social
Oh, the most important thing about myself is that my life has been full of changes. Therefore, when I observe the world, I don't expect to see it just like I was seeing the fellow who lives in the next room. Chinua Achebe expectfellowfull share on social
The damage done in one year can sometimes take ten or twenty years to repair. Chinua Achebe damagerepairten Change image and share on social
